JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- There was some wringing of hands at Miami Dolphins camp early in the week about the run defense having a bad game in the preseason opener and the tackling being shoddy and the unit failing the training camp assignment of causing turnovers. ...

This team will not get to the playoffs this year because the defense is good. The defense was playoff-good last year ...

So it's the offense that was the primary target of stocking and improving and tweaking this offseason. ...

But this game against the Jacksonville Jaguars was better. In this 27-3 victory, the starting offense showed improvement. It showed a certain amount of resilience. It suggested there is a chemistry building between quarterback Ryan Tannehill and one of his newly added receiving weapons.

And, best of all, the unit put up points.

All this despite a tough start that also showed much hard work is still necessary. ...

While the embattled left side of the unit, particularly left tackle Jonathan Martin, seemed to hold up well, the right side of the offensive line, particularly starting right guard Josh Samuda, couldn't keep Tannehill from being hit repeatedly.

It was a sign of regression for Samuda, ...

Miller could use a couple of solid quarters before any Dolphins coach puts his name in the starting lineup. ...

Tannehill didn't seem to look much in Wallace's direction either because he was hurried or felt more comfortable going elsewhere with the ball.